The uterus is the main reproductive organ of a woman. Its external epithelial layer reliably protects the developing fetus from the adverse effects of the environment. For communication with the outside world, there is the so-called cervical canal located in the cervix. It is filled with special mucus, which prevents the penetration of various infections.
Some features of this part of the uterus have perhaps the most important effect on the healthy course of pregnancy in women. Thus, the length of the cervix by weeks of pregnancy allows medical specialists who monitor the bearing of the fetus to judge the possibility of certain pathologies or other disorders that may even cause miscarriage.
The length of the cervical canal and childbirth
Each representative of the weaker sex has a different length of the cervix. The norm is determined based on the individual characteristics of the body of an individual patient.
However, a particular danger to the body as a whole and during pregnancy in particular is not the normal length of the cervix, but a shortened cervical canal.
Such a structural feature of the main genital organ can sometimes be congenital. But in most cases, this pathology occurs due to various medical interventions in the reproductive system of women. For example:
- artificial abortion;
- diagnostic curettage and so on.
In addition, the scar tissue resulting from surgical interventions or when cauterizing foci of erosion by electric current can affect how long a girl’s cervix is.
The need for medical supervision
Due to the fact that the length of the cervix before childbirth affects the process of the baby's birth, before planning the conception, it is advisable to consult a gynecologist for examination to identify the pathology in question.
In addition, it is important to be monitored by a medical professional throughout the gestation period. This allows the doctor to observe the length and condition of the cervical canal and the bottom of the uterus. They must comply with the norm and depend on the degree of development of the fetus.
Naturally, the described violation, like many others, will not prevent the expectant mother to bear and give birth to offspring, but observation by a specialist will allow very timely detection of possible pathologies and take measures to eliminate them.
Features of the internal structure of the cervix
The internal organ under consideration, with which the uterus ends, externally is a circular muscle attached to the lower extremity of the main reproductive site of a woman.
With the help of the cervix, its internal cavity contacts the vagina, and through the latter, with the surrounding environment. For this, the so-called cervical canal is filled with mucus, which performs protective functions.
In a woman who is not pregnant, the canal is in the closed position. The length of the closed part of the cervix is about 3 or 4 centimeters.
But as soon as fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes and the egg is implanted on the prepared endometrial layer in the uterine cavity, metamorphoses occur with the cervical canal, preparing the cervix for the future appearance of the baby.
Changes accompanying gestation
The transformations that the cervical canal undergoes during pregnancy are due to hormonal effects and increased blood circulation in the muscle layer of the uterus. This is indicated by the cyanotic shade of the external walls, which is diagnosed by a gynecologist during an internal examination using special tools. He also establishes whether the length of the cervix according to the accepted standards by weeks.
In addition, when a woman is in this physiological state, the amount of cervical mucus that fills the canal increases. This allows you to successfully deal with pathogenic microflora that can develop in the vagina of a pregnant woman.
Changes occur with the epithelial layer, which is affected by an increased concentration of the hormone estrogen in the body. As a result, the size and volume of the reproductive organ of the lady significantly increase.
Monitored parameters
During pregnancy, during a routine examination by a gynecologist, he determines several indicators that have the most significant effect on the process of bearing a child:
- cervical length by weeks of pregnancy;
- metric dimensions of the main genital organ at certain stages of gestation;
- the state of the uterine fundus, or rather, its height in the first, second and (or) third trimester of pregnancy.
If all the controlled variables are normal, we can talk about the correct development of the fetus. When one of the indicators deviates from generally accepted parameters, there may be a pathology that adversely affects the unborn baby.
It is especially important to know how long a woman’s cervix is at a certain stage of embryo development. Indeed, for example, deviations in the height of the uterine fundus depend on the individual structural features of the female body and may vary for each individual patient. A mismatch in the length of the cervical canal almost always indicates a violation.
Influence of the size of the cervix
The length of the cervix by weeks of pregnancy directly affects the success of its completion and a healthy birth. Therefore, as already mentioned above, the monitoring of this parameter is given special attention during the examination using ultrasound diagnostic devices.
This, among other things, allows you to diagnose the threat of a miscarriage in time and take the necessary measures to prevent it.
Channel length depending on the term
Consider the length of the cervical canal during the entire period of gestation:
- the length of the cervix at the beginning of pregnancy is 30 mm, the muscle tissue is inelastic, the skin is bluish;
- the length of the cervix of 20 weeks of pregnancy is 36-46 mm;
- the length of the cervix 32 weeks or more becomes slightly less (up to 10 mm), preparing for the passage of the baby.
Generic process
Before the baby is born, the normal length of the cervix should not exceed 10 mm. In addition, the external section of the cervical canal moves to the center of the pelvis. The degree of readiness of the reproductive system for contractions is determined by the following parameters:
- The length of the cervix. The norm is indicated above.
- The consistency of the mucus filling the cervical canal.
- The degree of neck opening.
In order for the head of a born child to be able to pass freely, the diameter of the outlet opening increases.
However, excessive disclosure should also not be considered normal. Such a condition can lead to the appearance of so-called ectopia, that is, the ingress of the internal uterine epithelium into the vaginal cavity. In the future, this can trigger erosion.
Pathology
A small cervical canal, as has been mentioned more than once, poses a considerable threat to the process of bearing a baby. In this case, it is necessary to control the entire process at the gynecologist, and in some cases only surgery can help.
The concentration of hormones in the body affects the length of the woman’s cervix during pregnancy.
In addition, it is important to know that not only a too short canal can lead to a miscarriage, but also its excessive opening. The diameter of the hole, exceeding the accepted 6 mm, indicates the onset of the birth process (usually premature), and at an earlier date - the threat of a miscarriage.
A too short cervical canal (not more than 20 mm) indicates the presence of a patient's isthmic-cervical (IC) insufficiency. Such a condition should be subjected to appropriate treatment at the planning stage of the offspring.
Diagnosis is made using an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus. In this case, various sensors are used:
These procedures make it possible to establish not only the external dimensions of the organ, but also the closeness of the external cut of the cervical opening.
Treatment
Measures aimed at correcting the established violation are appointed depending on the reasons that caused it.
So, if isthmic-cevical insufficiency is provoked by malfunctions of the endocrine system of the body, which is responsible for the production of hormones in the body, treatment is carried out using drugs containing the necessary components.
When the two-horned uterus was the cause of the pathology , the patient is recommended to perform cerclage. It is especially important to do this in the case when, before pregnancy, an operation was performed to remove the rudimentary horn, and the remaining one does not allow the embryo to fully grow in the womb. At the same time, a strong effect on the cervix can lead to a miscarriage, so you should not hesitate with treatment.
For this, the so-called cervical cerclage is performed. During this procedure, special circular sutures are placed on the cervix and, accordingly, the cervical canal, which do not allow it to open.
This procedure allows you to prevent:
- rupture of the fetal bladder;
- premature birth in a woman.
Sometimes cerclage is performed without surgical opening of the skin. For this, a variety of obstetric pessaries are used, located on the neck through the vagina, which also do not allow the cervical canal to open.
In any case, when a pregnant woman is diagnosed with this pathology, she must constantly be under the continuous supervision of a gynecologist. In addition, it is important to ensure:
- the absence of any stressful conditions;
- careful and attentive attitude to the state of one’s health;
- timely medical assistance if necessary.
Conclusion
All systems in the body are interconnected. The functioning of all systems and processes, including the course of pregnancy, depends on the proper functioning of each organ.
Of great importance during the bearing of the baby is the length of the cervical canal in the cervix, as well as its changes at each stage of pregnancy.
Various pathologies can affect the length of the cervix, in connection with which it is necessary to constantly monitor this parameter using ultrasound diagnostics. Such a procedure will make it possible to begin timely treatment when pathologies are detected.
Otherwise, pregnancy may result in a miscarriage.
Do not mess with your health!